Explosive-operated device



1951 G. 0. ROCKWELL EXPLOSIVE OPERATED DEVICE Filed Feb. 2?, 1948 3 0 03 m K m 5 u m\\wv 5 m a F will INVENTOR M j 9 $6M ATTORNEY Patented Nov.13, 1951 UNITED EXPLOSIVE-OPERATED DEVICE Gaynor -0. Rockwell, Houston,Tex., assignor to the United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Navy Application February 27, 1948, Serial No. 11,476

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a pressure operated device and isparticularly directed to a pressure operated mechanism wherein thepressure is created by an explosion occuring completely within aninclosure.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improveddevice operated by pressures created by an explosion, which device isflash proof and does not permit loss of pressure due to the escape ofthe gases at the time of the explosion.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pressureoperated device which is positive in action and simple in constructionand operation.

Still further objects, advantages, and improvements will be apparentfrom the following description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis ofthe device.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the device at the instant ofoperation.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals of reference areemployed to designate like parts throughout the several views, thenumeral refers to an explosive containing device having a body portionII with threads I! cut thereon and a flange type cap 13 mountedintegrally on the body portion H. An axial bore [5 extends through thefull length of the device 10. The lower portion of the bore I5 isthreaded to receive threads similar to those on the tubular portion 22of the bellows It. The end of the bore I5 is rounded to eliminate asharp edge which would tend to shear ofi the bellows when in use. Anexplosive charge l2 contained within the bore 15 is fired electricallyby means of a filament iii, of which one end is attached to the body IIand the other end to a centrally positioned electrode l8, which with asurrounding insulation material seals ofi the outer end of the bore l5.

The device I0 is secured to a mechanism (shown in part) by beingthreaded into an opening l9 by means of a tool (not shown) fitted intothe recesses 2| in the cap IS. The bellows l4 fits into a cylindricalbore 26 in which a piston 28 slidably mounted bearing against the freeend of the bellows 14. The electrical circuit for firing the explosivecharge I2 is made through the mechanism 24 and through a contactor 30which bears on the external surface of the electrode l8.

' In the normal operation of the device, an electric current ispermitted to pass through the filament 16 to ignite the explosivecharge. The gases produced by the explosion build up pressure in thechamber formed in part by the bellows M. The gas pressure tends to causeelongation of the bellows and presses it on the piston 28. The piston isforced down as shown by Fig. 3 and operates the mechanism (not shown).The pressure on the piston 23 and the distance travelled by the piston28 are controlled by the amount of explosive used and the length andstrength of the bellows [4.

The mechanism 24 which is shown in part is not any part of the presentinvention since it can be any conventional mechanism such as anautomatically operated latch device.

While the invention has been described with reference to a certainpreferred example thereof which gives satisfactory results, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains,after understanding the invention that various changes and modificationswithin the purview of the claim herein may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is my intentiontherefore to cover in the appended claim all such changes andmodifications.

What I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

In an explosive operated latch mechanism having an opening, a cylindercommunicating with said opening, a piston slidably positioned in saidcylinder, the combination of a unitary explosive-containing devicehaving a body portion mounted in said opening and having an axial boretherethrough communicating with said cylinder, a flange type cap portionformed integrally with said body portion positioned flush .with thesurface of said mechanism, a bellows mounted in said cylinder, havingone end secured to the body portion in communication with said bore andthe other end in contact with.

the piston, an explosive charge contained by said bore, an electrode incontact with the charge, insulator means surrounding said electrode andsealing the free end of said bore, and a filament embedded in andadapted to explode said charge, having one end secured to said electrodeand the other end secured to said body portion.

GAYNOR O. ROCKWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

